The Return of the Legend: When the Past Strikes Back in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves 🐺🔥

Remember playing Fatal Fury back in the old internet cafes? The sounds, the action, the crazy combos that made the buttons cry for help? I remember… and I never imagined it would ever come back. But City of the Wolves is here, and it’s back with full force.

I’m one of those who never gave up hope that Fatal Fury would return, even after 26 long years with no new entry. Maybe many people forgot it, and maybe the new generation only knows it from random images online. But for those who lived it, who entered South Town through a 14-inch screen and felt every move – you never forget.

City of the Wolves isn’t just the return of a game… it’s a declaration that the past can still shine. Like the game is shouting, “I’m still here… and I still have a lot to show.”

Everyone is excited to see what SNK will do after all these years, and I’m one of the first. Not just to fight and relive memories, but to answer the big question: Can the past truly shine again? Or is it just a moment of nostalgia?

Story

The story follows Rock Howard, the son of the infamous villain Geese Howard, who was raised by hero Terry Bogard. At the start of the game, Rock discovers a shocking surprise: his mother Mary, whom he believed to be dead, is actually alive and has been kidnapped by Mr. Big’s gang.

Because of this, a group of fighters come together for a massive tournament in “South Town” to obtain Geese Howard’s mysterious legacy. Rock trains again with Terry and manages to win the tournament with help from his friends. But along the way, secrets from the past begin to surface—linked to the magical scrolls of the Jin family.

The main characters include Rock himself, his mentor Terry, his long-lost mother Mary, and familiar names like Billy Kane, Kain Heinlein, and Jack Turner from Big’s gang. You’ll also meet familiar faces from older Fatal Fury games like Mai Shiranui, B. Jenet, Tizoc, and new characters that bring fresh energy to the battles.

Overall, the events revolve around a huge tournament filled with mystery and magical secrets from the past.

Gameplay

The game brings back the classic 2.5D fighting system like in Garou: Mark of the Wolves. That means side-to-side movement with 3D models and backgrounds.

What stands out here is the new REV System, which changes gameplay in a big way. This system is built around “risk and reward”: The more you use enhanced special moves (REV Arts), powerful attacks (REV Blow), or even block your opponent’s hits, the more your REV gauge fills.

But be careful… if the gauge fills completely, you enter Overheat mode, and you won’t be able to use these powerful moves until it drops again. You’ll need to balance offense and defense—knowing when to unleash your power and when to wait and recharge.

Another system called SPG – Selective Potential Gear adds to the experience. Similar to the T.O.P. system from Garou, it lets you choose a section of your health bar (start, middle, or end). When you reach that section during battle, you activate a “special power” – increasing damage or unlocking new moves like stronger REV Blows or a finishing move called Hidden Gear.

This move (Hidden Gear) is a super move that can turn the tide of battle—it deals massive damage and can consume your full REV bar in one go. It’s perfect to end a combo with style and win the round.

There are also tactical mechanics like Brake (interrupt a move mid-animation to continue a combo), Feint (a fake-out move to open your opponent), and Just Defense (if you block at the right time, you regain some health and reduce your REV pressure). All of this makes the combat full of strategies you can develop based on your playstyle.

The game launches with 17 characters, including returning faces from Garou and Fatal Fury like B. Jenet, Tizoc, Mai, Billy… along with new fighters. This creates a wide variety of fighting styles—whether you like zoning, grappling, or fast rushdown attacks.

Each character has their own way of using the REV system, giving them a unique feel and making them worth mastering.

The game is mainly designed for players with medium or advanced fighting game experience to fully enjoy its systems. But if you’re new, there’s a detailed training mode that teaches you everything from scratch, letting you practice and build your combos in a calm environment.

Graphics

From the moment you launch City of the Wolves, it feels like stepping into a world where the colors breathe. The game doesn’t just look drawn—it feels like a living manga. Bright colors, energetic visuals, and character designs full of life and personality.

Character models have a classic anime feel but with modern polish. Every fighter radiates charisma—whether in facial expressions or how their hair moves during a flip. The animation is smooth, light, and stylish, making every hit feel impactful.

The stages are well-crafted too. You get 19 battle arenas, including beloved classics like Geese Tower and new ones like the chaotic train station. The backgrounds aren’t just static—they’re alive, full of people and action, like real city streets mid-fight.

Still, some small details in the backgrounds feel a bit outdated—like they came from the PS3 era. It’s not a dealbreaker, as your focus will be on the action, but it’s something that could’ve been polished more.

Final Score

8/10

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves isn’t just a return of an old series—it’s proof that SNK can still create something that lasts. The game blends nostalgia with innovation, featuring deep combat, strong characters, and visuals that grab your attention from the first second. Whether you lived the cybercafé era or it’s your first time in Fatal Fury, this game will hook you with its fast-paced combat, vibrant graphics, and character diversity.